Without You, The Beginning of Magic {Magical AU}

Chapter 2: Debut (Part 4)

Ace crossed his arms and sat at the table next to Makino, "Vultures..." I sat next to Sengoku as he motioned me over. He had them bring up some food and cake. I blushed lightly as my stomach growled. He looked down worried, "Iri... This may be your pre-debut, but you are a princess... You are allowed to act how you wish..."

I took a bite and pouted, "Uncle Sen... Aren't you lonely?..." He rubbed my back as I looked up, "No... I have my family up here after all." I looked down at them as some people were whispering in a corner, while others were talking and enjoying themselves, but I noticed Law, who was with Anthoni, his dad, taking glances at me. Corazon, Sabo, and Zoro were looking worried. I smiled softly at them as I was handed something and my hand felt better, "Uncle Sen... You said... However I wanted, right?..." He nodded, but chuckled as I asked, "Can I play with people of other classes?... I wanna hang out with Sabo, Zoro, Luffy, and Law..." He smiled, "Let's do presents first..." I grinned, "Ok!~"

He motioned for them to start, so he walked me in front and people presented themselves and their gifts. They were jewels, dolls, and other things I believed I would never use, but I smiled, nodded, and thanked them as they presented them. I must've stood there for thirty minutes before they were done. I started to subconsciously fiddle with the necklace uncomfortably, but smiled as Law came up.

However, my heart shattered as he gave the same greeting as the others. He presented me the same thing as the others, jewelry from another country, so I smiled and responded the same way I did with everything else. Same with all of my friends. After that was done I no longer had the energy to play. "... I want some air... I want to go to the terrace alone..." Uncle Sen motioned for Zoro, so he escorted me there to be alone with him. However he still stood guard and at attention. 

I leaned against the railing and looked at the garden, "Zoro?..." I jerked as he responded, "Yes princess?" A tear dripped down my cheek as I responded flatly, "... No... It's nothing..." He was silent, so I just stood there and stared until Shanks came out. "Iri..." I looked up, so he sat on the railing and leaned down to wipe my cheek. "We can go home..." I looked at Zoro who was biting his lip and looking down while trembling with irritation.

I looked out, "... Will... It always be like this?..." He stroked my hair, "There's no reason for you to act so proper... If you want to play then play... If you want to eat then eat... You are the only crown princess..." I looked out again and teared up, "It's... It's lonely..." He huffed and hopped up before hugging me. "Come on... Let's go home..." I wrapped my arms around him, "Uncle Shanks... Do I always have to instigate first?" He nodded, so I looked down, "Are they staying?" He nodded again, "Probably..." I nuzzled him, "I want to play with them..." He began walking over to the group with Law with me next to him..

They bowed and greeted us, "The princess wants Law's company, is that alright?" Law nodded and bowed, "Of course Your Grace..." He turned to them, "Excuse me..." Law followed as we made our way to the terrace again, "I'll go get the others." I nodded softly to them as it was Law, Zoro, and I.

After we were alone I hugged Law and shook. He froze for a moment before he hugged me and stroked my hair, "Iris-ya... Don't cry..." I sniffled, "It's so lonely... I don't like it here..." Law stroked my back more, "Why not go home then?" I looked up, so he stroked my cheeks, "I wanna be with everyone... It's still my birthday..." 

He huffed and grabbed my hand and motions for Corazon and Zoro to follow. I blinked surprised as he suggested, "Let's play hide and seek in the maze garden... It's not dark yet, so it's fine." I nodded softly and sniffled before running in, "Me first! I'll go hide!" Zoro ran into it next. Law looked up at Corazon, so he nodded before Law ran in and he stood guard at the entrance.

I giggled as I heard Law counting. I looked around as I tried to familiarize myself with the labyrinth. "Ready or not, here I come!" I giggled silently as Law started walking to me, but I ran off through some passages and waited and listened. I jumped as Zoro yelled, "Damn it Tora-o! You scared the fuck outta me!" I accidentally burst out laughing then held my mouth and started running. I heard them rushing towards me, so I ran faster.

I was soon surrounded by Law and Zoro on either side. I jumped on top of the brush and stuck my tongue out and hopped down on the other side. Zoro yelled, "That's cheating!" I laughed more as we continued, but stopped as I saw Teach talking to Corazon about switching. He seemed offly insistent, so I ran to them. They noticed my anxiety, so they asked as I ran to Law, "What's wrong Iris-ya?" I hugged him, so he held me, "Teach wants to switch for some reason... He keeps insisting on it..."

Law held my hand and nodded to Zoro, who pointed, "Let's go back to the palace, ok?" I nodded as we headed back to the entrance. I looked up at them, "We're heading back inside now... I want some more cake." They bowed and followed, but I froze for a moment as they stopped holding my hands. I stared at the ground before turning around. "I'm allowed to do what I want, right?!"

They blinked and nodded, so I pointed at Law, "Stop bowing and continue like normal!" I pointed to Zoro, "Talk to me normally and don't bow either!" I look down and grip my dress, "It's too lonely when I see that! You're my friends! Even in front of others! I'll get mad and not talk to you anymore if you do!" Zoro hugged me and Law held my right hand as I sniffled. My head was against Law's chest as Zoro stroked my back, "Alright Iri... Don't cry, ok?..." I sniffled and gently tugged, "Let's go..." They nodded and we made our way back.